How are Hong Kong and the region addressing mental health issues in school settings from primary through university level? What are the specific problems that exist in Hong Kong (suicide, “Tiger Moms,” disparity of support services between the public system and private international schools, accommodation or lack thereof for mental health problems rising to a disability level, over-diagnosis or missed diagnosis, mental health literacy in schools, introduction of positive mental health strategies and programs in schools including anxiety management/mindfulness). What specific problems and solutions exist within the education community in Hong Kong?

2. Mental Health and Healthcare

How are public and private Hong Kong and regional medical professionals dealing with patients with mental health problems? What research has been done to explore this issue?How can innovations and learning from other parts of the world benefit Hong Kong and Asia? What societal and cultural roadblocks exist in Hong Kong? How can the private and public sectors work together to create solutions to de-stigmatize mental health problems in our community?

3. Mental Health in the Work Place

How does mental health impact business on an individual, team and company level? What are companies doing to encourage or limit their employees from accessing support and services? How widespread is this issue within global institutions and how does it impact their bottom line? This will also include a discussion of stress in the workplace and how it is a cause of wider problems. The City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA) will be launched with discussion about next steps for any employers interested in participating. More information about CMHA can be found below.

4. Mental Health and the Elderly

How are caregivers and family members providing support to those with mental problems and deterioration in the elderly population? What resources are available to this population segment to address their unique mental health needs? Do caregivers such as domestic foreign workers have the proper training to care for elderly people with mental health difficulties? What infrastructure is needed to provide quality services to the aging population expands in Hong Kong?

5. Mental Health and the Media

What is the media’s role in the stigma around mental health in Hong Kong and the region? How can the media contribute to evolving attitudes around mental health problems and promote the cultural normalization of these issues? The conference welcomes perspectives from journalists, performers, TV/radio personalities, artists and others to discuss their experiences and views on this topic. It will also allow professionals in the arts to share how their work can contribute to increasing awareness, decreasing stigma and promoting recovery and wellbeing.

6. Mental Health and Legal System/Policy Making

What is the impact of public policy on mental health consumers/medical providers and charitable organizations? How does policy and legislation shape the public’s view of mental health issues? What is being done locally and globally on a policy level to promote de-stigmatization?What are the political ramifications of mental health stigma?

We look forward to welcoming you to the Hong Kong Mental Health Conference. Whether you live locally or are travelling from abroad, please review the information to ensure a smooth and pleasant arrival to the event.

330 – number of psychiatrists working in the public sector in Hong Kong. The patient-doctor ratio in Hong Kong is about 4.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. The United Kingdom has 14.63 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, and Australia has 9.16 psychiatrists per 100,000 (WHO, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

1 in 6 – number of Hong Kong residents who have a common mental disorder, like anxiety or depression, either now or will in his or her lifetime (Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

60% - Number of Hong Konger’s that report experiencing stress and anxiety related to their job (MHA survey, 2014).

Mental Health Statistics and Information

300 million - number of people who experience depression globally. It is a very common mental health problem.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

15% - percentage of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

No. 2 - Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year old worldwide.

Mental Health Statistics and Information

47.5 million - Number of people worldwide who have dementia (and there are 7.7 million new cases every year).

Connect

With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be Active

Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take Notice

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep Learning

Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun.

Give

Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.